Swinsty and Fewston parking charges to include ‘season ticket’

Controversial parking charges at Harrogate district reservoirs are set to include season tickets, Yorkshire Water has confirmed.

The company is to introduce payment machines and automatic number plate recognition at Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross car parks.

Yorkshire Water said previously that the revenue generated will help to pay for an in-house rangers team, which would undertake maintenance jobs and tackle anti-social behaviour at its sites.

Proposals for parking machines at both Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs have been approved by Harrogate Borough Council.

While no date has been confirmed for when charges will come in, Yorkshire Water said they will include season tickets for one or multiple sites.

A spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“There will be an option for visitors to purchase a ‘season ticket’ for the year which can cover just one car park or all car parks in the Washburn Valley, obviously this will work out cheaper than ‘pay as you go’ option, depending on how frequently people visit.

“The prices for the season tickets will be £30 per annum for a single site and £45 per annum for multiple sites. Blue badge holders, as previously stated, will be able to park free of charge.”

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Car park users will be able to pay via card payment on site, by using the RingGo app or telephone.

The proposed tariffs will be one hour at £1, two hours at £2, six hours at £3 and an all day pass for £5.

Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions, based in York, has been appointed to operate the parking meters. 

While the company said the charges will help to avert anti-social behaviour, Washburn Parish Council and local residents previously raised “serious concerns” about the impact of parking charges on local roads.

The council wrote to Harrogate Borough Council to object to the plans at both Swinsty and raised concern that the charges will “lead to unsafe conditions on local rural lanes”.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of upcoming roadworks on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

Meanwhile, long term works in Harrogate town centre remain in place this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district during rush hour this morning.

However, motorists should be aware of temporary traffic lights which are expected to be put in place on Skipton Road.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out work to replace light columns on the road. According to the authority’s roadworks map, the lights will be in place until October 25.

Temporary traffic lights on the A61 near Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall remain in place. Drivers should expect delays in the area this morning.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and are expected to end today.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Work to to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, has been delayed and is now expected to start on Monday (October 24).

North Yorkshire County Council said this is so the authority can “finalise legal arrangements around access across private land to facilitate the work”.

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The scheme requires the road to be closed and a diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

County council rejects Station Gateway contingency funding request

County council bosses rejected a suggestion by Harrogate Borough Council to allocate contingency funding to the town’s £11.9 million Station Gateway project.

According to a North Yorkshire County Council report, the borough council was consulted on the use of surplus money from on-street parking charges – known as civil parking enforcement.

The county council manages on-street parking across North Yorkshire and collects fines which are enforced by the districts.

The county council estimates it will allocate £3 million in funding to projects and services over the next three years and consulted the borough council on the matter.

Trevor Watson, director of economy at Harrogate Borough Council, said in a letter that part of the money could be allocated to the gateway scheme.

He said:

“With inflation rising it would be prudent to budget for additional match funding from civil parking enforcement surplus expenditure.”

Mr Watson also suggested the funding could be used to develop mitigation measures as part of the west of Harrogate infrastructure plan and as “top-up” funding for cycling schemes on Victoria Avenue and at Pannal.

However, county council bosses turned down the gateway idea and said that “it would not be possible” to match the funding.

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It added it could not do so “as the surplus is fully committed for the continuation of delivering services and projects”.

The Stray Ferret asked the authority whether it had identified any other areas for contingency funding for the gateway scheme.

We had not received a response by the time of publication.

Inflation hits major projects

The move comes as the county council is facing higher costs for major projects amid rising inflation.

In August, the council’s realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill increased in cost from £61 million to £68.8 million.

The council put the increase down to rising inflation affecting construction costs.

Gary Fielding, corporate director at the county council, warned councillors that the “burden of risk” for major projects will fall on the authority amid the current economic climate.

Mr Fielding said in August that the authority continues to “monitor costs and market conditions when embarking on projects”.

Boroughbridge couple’s three-year new build nightmare

A Boroughbridge family has been left in limbo for three years after ongoing problems with a new build property.

Chris and Katie Eve bought the house on Hockley Croft estate in December 2019.

But they still have items stored in a shipping container outside because of unresolved issues.

The new build estate, constructed by Harron Homes, consists of eight properties.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Mr Eve said his family, which includes two young children, had looked forward to leaving Harrogate for a new home in Boroughbridge.

He said:

“We moved there because we wanted something slightly more rural.

“We liked the development itself and thought it would be good for the kids.”

Lack of insulation

But numerous problems, particularly with the insulation, has led to a three-year nightmare, including the couple having to store clothes and belongings in shipping containers on their drive. Other properties on the estate also have to use containers.

The Eves’ garage ceiling has been taken down four times because of problems with the insulation and fire board, and damp has also been found in the property.

Mr Eve said the couple could “see their own breath” in the front room because of the cold temperature, and had endured “countless” other problems, including uneven bedroom floors and roof trusses being weathered and warped.

Site managers from Harron, council building control and customer service managers have been to the property to inspect the property.

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On two occasions, the family have had to move items stored in the garage into shipping containers — the latest container has been there for a year.

The couple said they are still waiting for Harron to fix the problems and, as a result, have been forced to employ their own structural engineer to look at the house.

Currently, they are staying in the living area above their garage. But despite the ongoing problems, Mr Eve said the family is determined to make the house work.

He said:

“We like the location and we get on really well with the people around us.

“I do not feel like we should move because Harron would buy it off us and sell it off with the same issues.”

Harron Homes response

The Stray Ferret approached Harron Homes for a response to the complaints made by the family.

Tony Lee, managing director for Harron Homes Yorkshire, said:

“Harron Homes prides itself on creating quality homes so we are disappointed that we’ve not reached that standard on Hockley Croft in the past.

“We are currently working with a small number of residents to agree start dates and convenient times to rectify defects. We are committed to resolving matters as swiftly as possible and I am confident that our operations are robust, and our teams have the resources to deliver the service and quality I expect for our customers.”

Ripon man charged with attempted murder

A Ripon man has been charged with attempted murder, assaulting emergency workers and carrying a weapon in a public place.

Kyle Harpin, 33, of North Street in the city, appeared before York Magistrates Court yesterday.

He was charged with attempting to murder another man, who was named in court, on North Street on Sunday.

Mr Harpin was also charged with assaulting two police constables at Harrogate District Hospital on the same date.

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He also allegedly used threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress towards another police officer at Harrogate Police Station.

Mr Harpin faced a further charge of carrying a knife in a public place on North Street in Ripon.

He was remanded in custody to appear before Leeds Crown Court on November 7.

Plan approved to convert former Pateley Bridge police station into home

A former police station in Pateley Bridge will be turned into a home after plans were approved.

The owners of Kendall’s Farm Butchers in the town bought the station on King Street.

Former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan announced last year that the building would be sold as part of cost-cutting measures.

The Stray Ferret later revealed in July this year that the station was sold for £297,000. It was estimated to sell for £142,000.

In a planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Paul Kendall, a third generation butcher, the family bought the building to relocate to Pateley Bridge.

Now, the council has approved the plan.

Planning documents reveal they had been looking to relocate closer to the business for many years but were unable to find anywhere suitable.

Harrogate architect James Robinson, who submitted the plan on behalf of the Kendalls, wrote that living within 200 metres of the main shop in Pateley will be “revolutionary” for the family, as it will allow for a much better work-life balance.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district during rush hour this morning.

However, some roadworks remain in place in parts of the district.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary traffic lights on the A61 near Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall remain in place. Drivers should expect delays in the area this morning.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and will remain until October 20.

Northern Gas Networks is still carrying out work on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth.

Traffic light signals are  in place in the area, which may cause delays heading towards Wetherby and Harrogate.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Work to to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, has been delayed and is now expected to start on Monday (October 24)

North Yorkshire County Council said this is so the authority can “finalise legal arrangements around access across private land to facilitate the work”.

Work to repair the B6265 at Red Brae Bank will now start on Monday 24 October, while we finalise legal arrangements around access across private land to facilitate the work.https://t.co/qEYB3LWG9a

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) October 18, 2022

The scheme requires the road to be closed and a diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

It was expected that the work will be carried out until December 9.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon IT company purchases Skipton computer firm

A Ripon IT company has announced it has bought Skipton-based Verus Solutions.

Fresh Mango Technologies, which is based on Barker Business Park, acquired the company, which specialises in IT support, computer systems and server supply and installation.

Officials at Fresh Mango said the purchase was an ideal fit due to Verus’ location and customer base.

Guy Phoenix, managing director at Fresh Mango, said:

“Their offering and ethos is almost identical to ours with a customer reach beyond Yorkshire’s borders. 

“The Fresh Mango mission is to bring much-needed first-class IT support to even more SMEs. Verus Solutions will help us to continue to fulfil that mission and we’re delighted that they’re now part of the Fresh Mango family.” 

Paul Roach, director of Verus Solutions, said: 

“Due to our close and long-standing relationships with our clients it was crucial for us to find an organisation that shared the same values as us, while at the same time having sufficient scale to provide the highest levels of customer service. 

“Fresh Mango demonstrated this throughout our discussions with them.”

Harrogate estate agents comes top at industry awards

A Harrogate estate agents picked up four awards at an industry awards ceremony.

Myrings Estate Agents came top in three categories and won silver in a fourth at the Estate Agent of the Year Awards.

The firm won Regional Sales Award for North Yorkshire, Lettings Agent Landlords Award, Estate Agents Sales Award and silver for Lettings Agent Tenants Award.

A post on the company’s social media said:

“We are truly grateful and our sincere thanks go out to all our wonderful customers for your reviews and support. We would not be where we are without you, combined with our amazing team that made this happen.

“It is all thanks to their hard work, positivity, and outstanding customer service we are where we are.”

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North Yorkshire spends twice as much as other areas on HRT, figures show

North Yorkshire spends nearly twice as much as other areas on Hormone Replacement Therapy for women aged between 45 and 60.

According to analysis by the BBC Shared Data Unit, North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group spent a total of £621,387.40 on the drug between April 2021 and June 2022.

The figure amounts to £12.04 per woman aged 45 to 60 in the county — more than double that of the lowest spend in Leicester at £5.56.

However, it is lower than the highest area in West Suffolk NHS, which spent £14.09.

The data comes as experts said the decision-making of local health boards had contributed to a postcode lottery and that some women were not being offered the full range of options because their local health board did not fund them.

HRT replaces hormones that are at a lower level approaching the menopause. Not every patient will need or want HRT, and clinicians advise against it in some circumstances, including for patients with a history of certain types of cancer or blood clots.

Diane Danzebrink, of the Menopause Support charity, said GPs’ “hands were tied”.

She said:

“Often we will hear from women who are being prescribed oral tablets as a first line, and they’re not being offered options.

“Sometimes that is because those options are purely not available on their local CCG formulary. So that sort of ties the hands of their doctors to be able to offer them choices. But we do definitely see that it seems to be in some parts of the country rather than others.”

An NHS England spokesperson said:

“The NHS has a Menopause Pathway Improvement Programme, which includes increased learning for clinicians in how they can best support menopausal women, and working with clinical colleges and menopause organisations to improve awareness and understanding.

“A new Menopause Optimal Pathway will also guide clinicians and help women in the workplace during peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.”

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of temporary traffic lights on Wetherby Road which have caused delays during rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Temporary lights on Wetherby Road have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and are causing delays in both directions during rush hour traffic.

The lights are set to remain until October 21.

Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights on the A61 near Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall are also expected to cause disruption this morning.

The lights have been put in place by Yorkshire Water and will remain until October 20.

Northern Gas Networks is still carrying out work on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth.

Traffic light signals are also in place in the area, which may cause delays heading towards Wetherby and Harrogate.

In Harrogate town centre, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Work have started to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, which suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020.

The scheme requires the road to be closed from October 17 to December 9. A diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Also, lights will be installed on the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley. The road suffered a landslip during storms in February 2020 and a weight limit has been in place since.

Details of the scheme are here.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 1A, 1C, 7 and 36 services this morning. You can get updates here.

Read more: